Roswell, GA, (10/30/2024) – The National Park Trust, in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS), announced recently that $361,000 was awarded to fund 17 enriching education and outdoor recreation initiatives through the 2024 NPS Challenge Cost Share Program. Each project connects a local community to a nearby national park, national trail, or wild and scenic river, fostering a deeper connection with our natural and cultural heritage. This year’s group of awardees will engage more than 6,500 participants in active, healthy outdoor recreation, conservation, and education initiatives.

Chattahoochee Nature Center received a $25,000 award to support our work to engage students and community members in partnership with Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. The Wilderness Inquiry Canoemobile program introduces people of all ages, backgrounds, identities, and abilities to their local waterways. Using a fleet of Voyager Canoes, Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC) And Chattahoochee River NRA (CRNRA) will provide a “floating classroom” experience to paddlers. Programs will serve local Title I schools, and community organizations that align with program goals.

 “Hosting the Wilderness Inquiry Canoemobile program at CNC is an honor, and a testament to our commitment to providing equitable access and meaningful experiences in nature. Having a resource like the Chattahoochee River and the National Recreation Area right in our community is truly a treasure. Experiences like these, that connect our community with their river, foster connections with the environment and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards,” says Alicia Thompson, Senior Director of Learning and Engagement at Chattahoochee Nature Center.

Sam Leaf, CNC Outreach and Partnerships Specialist shares, “Partnerships like Wilderness Inquiry make it possible for us to offer unique outdoor experiences that many in our community have never had before. The Canoemobile program allows participants of all backgrounds and abilities to not only enjoy the beauty of the river but also gain a deeper understanding of their local ecosystem and its importance. We look forward to partnering with metro schools and local community organizations. By connecting participants with the Chattahoochee River and offering hands-on experiences, we’re able to teach them about ecology, teamwork, and the importance of preserving our natural resources in a way that inspires long-term engagement with the environment.”

“National Park Trust is thrilled to once again partner with the National Park Service and community partners across the country to connect people of all backgrounds and abilities to national parks while engaging the newest generation of outdoor enthusiasts and stewards,” said Grace Lee, executive director of National Park Trust. “The Challenge Cost Share program is a terrific example of an initiative that leverages public and private funds to invest in communities to create sustainable partnerships that benefit parks and people.”

“Partnering with the National Park Trust allows the National Park Service to reach more people and communities through the Challenge Cost Share Program,” said Lauren S. Imgrund, NPS associate director for Partnerships and Civic Engagement. “We appreciate the work of local partner organizations across the nation, who are using their resources and skills to support conservation, recreation, and education projects that are meaningful and impactful to their communities.”

In addition to the National Parks Trust, CNC is grateful to have the support of Smurfit WestRock to help bring Canoemobile to the Chattahoochee River. Together the program will impact almost 1000 paddlers of all backgrounds and abilities over the next two weeks.

ABOUT NATIONAL PARK TRUST

National Park Trust’s mission is to preserve parks today and create park stewards for tomorrow. Since 1983, the Park Trust has acquired many of the missing pieces of our national parks, benefiting 55 national park sites across the country. Our national youth education and family initiatives, including our Buddy Bison, College Ambassador and Military Family Programs, and National Kids to Parks Day, serve tens of thousands of children annually and cultivate future park stewards. We believe our public parks, lands, and waters should be cared for, enjoyed, and preserved by all for current and future generations. Find out more at parktrust.org.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 430 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

ROSWELL, GA – Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC), a leading nonprofit dedicated to environmental education and conservation, recently partnered with a local Girl Scout Gold Award candidate to complete an impactful project aimed at improving the visitor experience at the Center. These endeavors not only enhance CNC’s mission but also provide invaluable learning and leadership experiences for scouts.

Emily Grosskamp, from Troop 13409 in Marietta, completed her project aimed at helping visitors to Chattahoochee Nature Center find their way on two specific trails and learn about Georgia Wildlife.

Childhood visits, summers spent at Camp Kingfisher, and seeing her brother complete his Eagle Scout project at CNC forged a special connection with Chattahoochee Nature Center. Working with CNC’s education department, her project showcases five native animal prints painted along the Center’s Wildlife Walk trail where visitors sometimes need help finding their way. She created a document with general information about the five native animals, and visitors can look for and identify the tracks when they go on the Wildlife Walk. The overall objective of the project is to help people more easily find the right trails, and increase their enjoyment of the trail by seeing the prints and learning about native animals. Her project was approved in January 2024, and was completed in summer 2024. She learned how to build a project plan, develop a budget, manage a team, plan for weather delays in painting, and how to meet CNC’s needs for the project.

“We are thrilled to partner with scouts and are grateful for the time and creativity they put into their projects,” said Alicia Thompson, Senior Director of Learning and Engagement. “These projects not only benefit our visitors but also help foster a sense of stewardship among our community’s future leaders.”

The successful completion of a Gold Award project showcases the Scouts’ leadership and commitment to giving back. The project has received positive feedback from visitors who find the prints helpful, and CNC staff are considering future projects that involve wayfinding. Emily shares, “I enjoyed doing the project and learned a lot. I have been a Girl Scout since 1st grade and achieving my Gold Award will be a significant achievement in my Girl Scout journey.” In the fall, Emily will enter her freshman year at Middle Tennessee State University.

For more information about Scout programs at CNC, please visit https://www.chattnaturecenter.org/education/scouts/